PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Kicker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Smirnov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ray Kicker's chin.

Smirnov
vs
Kicker

173 cm
24
140 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

184 cm
27
140 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

World class MT
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexander Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ray Kicker!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shirou Masuda and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov avoids a kick to the body.
Smirnov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kicker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smirnov's calf.
Kicker tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheers as Kicker lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smirnov doesn't seem phased though.
Kicker blocks a head kick by Smirnov.
Alexander Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Kicker.
Kicker takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Smirnov walks into a straight right hand from Kicker.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kicker.

Kicker closes the distance and clinches.
Smirnov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov looking to stall.
Kicker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Kicker.
Kicker blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kicker is working Smirnov over against the ropes.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kicker scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smirnov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kicker tries to throw a body punch but Smirnov avoids it by throwing Kicker back against the ropes.
Smirnov crunches a lovely knee into Kicker's ribcage.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but Kicker blocks with his arms.
Kicker avoids the elbow strike from Smirnov, against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kicker throws an elbow but misses.
Kicker lands a nice uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smirnov.
Kicker scores with a knee to the head.
Kicker lands with a left to the head.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kicker misses with a knee to the head.
Smirnov missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Kicker blocks it.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kicker lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Alexander Smirnov has been cut.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Kicker lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smirnov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smirnov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Smirnov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kicker blocks it with crossed arms.
Kicker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smirnov blocks it with crossed arms.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kicker as Smirnov tries to tie him up.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Kicker blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Kicker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kicker feints a jab promting Smirnov to slip. Kicker then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Smirnov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kicker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smirnov.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Smirnov.
Smirnov tries a low kick but Kicker avoids it.
Kicker moves out of range of the body kick.
Kicker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kicker.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Smirnov checks a leg kick.
Smirnov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kicker scores with a shot to the body.
Kicker tries to move into range but Smirnov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kicker avoids the head kick by Smirnov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut. Kicker saw that one coming.
Kicker is looking to score with low kicks.
Kicker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Smirnov takes a step back to recover.
Kicker does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kicker scores with a one two! Smirnov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smirnov throws a low kick, looking for Kicker's leg but Kicker calmly moves out of range.

Smirnov moves into the clinch.
Smirnov scores with a knee to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kicker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smirnov's brow.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov avoiding damage as Kicker throws knees to the body.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but Kicker blocks with his arms.
Kicker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smirnov missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kicker avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Kicker - that landed with a thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kicker unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smirnov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kicker works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kicker lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kicker is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kicker blocks it with crossed arms.
Smirnov with a knee to the head.
Kicker blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kicker's brow.
Kicker landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kicker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kicker throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kicker lands an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kicker throws an elbow but misses.
Kicker lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kicker lands an elbow just above Smirnov 's eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Kicker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smirnov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kicker is out of range.
Kicker moves out of range of the body kick.
Kicker blocks a low kick nicely.
Smirnov tries to land a front kick but Kicker steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kicker checks the leg kick.
Smirnov throws a head kick but Kicker moves out of range.
Kicker scores with a kick to the body.
Kicker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Danga de danga de dang - Smirnov scores with a four punch combination!
Smirnov slips under a jab.
Smirnov swings for the body but Kicker moves out of range.
Kicker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kicker throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.

Kicker takes the fight into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Smirnov prevents a body shot from Kicker.
Kicker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Kicker can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.
Smirnov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kicker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Kicker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smirnov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smirnov connects with a knee to the head.
Kicker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kicker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Kicker avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kicker misses with an elbow strike.
Smirnov misses with an elbow strike.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Kicker is blocking nicely.
Smirnov avoiding damage as Kicker throws knees to the body.
Smirnov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kicker in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kicker crunches a lovely knee into Smirnov's ribcage.
Kicker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kicker landing knees to the body.
Kicker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov lands an elbow that stopped Kicker in his tracks for a moment.
Kicker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kicker scores a nice knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kicker lands a damaging elbow.
Kicker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kicker missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Alexander Smirnov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kicker tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov thows a body shot but no joy.
Kicker attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Smirnov avoids the head kick by Kicker.
Smirnov keeps Kicker at a distance using the push kick.
Smirnov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Smirnov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kicker.
Ray Kicker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smirnov throws a body kick that misses.
Smirnov scoring well with a low kick there.
Smirnov throws a body kick that misses.
Kicker throws a nice head kick!

Smirnov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smirnov with a knee to the head.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Kicker lands an uppercut.
Kicker misses with the head strike.
Smirnov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov trying to land knees to the body.
Kicker throws an elbow that misses.
Smirnov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ray Kicker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smirnov trying to land knees to the body.
Smirnov trying to control the position but instead, Kicker has worked for underhooks and has pushed Smirnov into the ropes.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Kicker avoids the damage to the body.
Kicker landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Smirnov.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kicker just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smirnov's brow.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Kicker trying to land knees to the body.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kicker avoids it.
A knee to the head by Kicker.
Smirnov missing with knees to the body.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Kicker blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kicker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smirnov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kicker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Smirnov trying to land knees to the body.
Kicker lands a nice shot to the body.
Kicker lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kicker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kicker moves out of range of the body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smirnov.
Kicker tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov throws a body kick that misses.
Kicker throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smirnov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smirnov motions for Kicker to come forward. Smirnov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kicker scores with a leg kick.
Kicker misses with a straight right.
Smirnov throws the kick towards the body but Kicker avoids it.
Kicker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Smirnov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kicker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smirnov can pounce on him.
Smirnov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kicker.
Smirnov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kicker with a hook.
Smirnov slips a jab and a cross from Kicker.
Smirnov misses with a kick to the body.
Smirnov is looking to chop away at Kicker's legs.
Kicker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kicker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kicker tries a head kick but it misses.

Kicker pushes Smirnov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Smirnov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kicker is defending well for now.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kicker lands a nice elbow.
Kicker misses with an elbow strike.
Kicker misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kicker throws a head punch that misses.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kicker managing to block the knees to the body from Smirnov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kicker struggles to land a body shot inside as Smirnov controls his hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov avoids a wild elbow strike from Kicker.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kicker lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kicker.
Kicker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Kicker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kicker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 46:50
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Kicker!
Ray Kicker managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, BLKOUT CLothing 93% Laundry, into his post fight interview.